Safety around our network
Look up and live
Contact with overhead powerlines can be deadly.
Countless electricity related deaths and accidents in Queensland could have been prevented had more care been taken around powerlines.
There are many occasions when you need to exercise caution around overhead powerlines.
These include:
- painting or working from ladders, trestles or scaffolding (particularly metal types)
- working on, or retrieving play items from roofs, gutters and awnings
- installing a television or roofing antenna
- installing house cladding
- carrying or lifting tall objects
- erecting masts on sailing boats
- flying kites and climbing trees close to powerlines
- pruning or cutting trees
- operating heavy machinery and other tall equipment
- establishing irrigators and operating farm equipment
To live and work safely with electricity in Queensland, it is important to consider the following safety tips:
- Familiarise yourself with the layout of the overhead electrical network on or near your property or the property on which you are working, including buildings.
- Find out the clearance levels underneath the powerlines on the property (take into account the 'sag' of the line between poles) and check this against machinery or equipment likely to come near powerlines.
- Always assess the risk of operating machinery near the electricity system and check for changes in the electricity network or in your plant and equipment.
- Always look up and live.
- If you are working within three metres of exposed live service or powerlines and require a temporary disconnection call our Contact Centre on 13 12 53.
For more information on how to stay safe around electricity, you can download our Community Safety Plan or consult our Health and Safety Policy.
Dial before you dig
Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) is a national referral service providing information on underground asset locations.
The service is designed to protect Australia's vast pipe and cable networks from damage and disruption caused by excavation or construction.
DBYD requests are submitted before construction begins by building contractors, home owners, designers, landscapers, councils, developers, excavators, trades people and farmers.
Once a request is submitted, a response from the asset owners can be expected within two business days.
To determine the location of underground services before you begin any excavation, call Dial Before You Dig on 1100 between 8am and 5pm weekdays or submit your request online at www.1100.com.au.
ENERGEX specific enquiries can be directed to the ENERGEX DBYD team by calling (07) 3664 5400 between 7am and 4pm weekdays.
Please have your DBYD sequence number to aid your enquiry.
It is important to know your obligations to protecting Australia's underground networks, as damages to ENERGEX cables and equipment can be dangerous and repairs can be costly.
The following good practice guidelines should be complied with when undertaking any form of excavation:
- All constructors have a duty of care to avoid underground networks when digging or excavating underground.
- Network information should be sought well in advance to any excavation or construction activities.
- Plan validity dates do expire (ENERGEX plans are valid for 30 days) and you must submit a new Dial Before You Dig enquiry to update your plans.
- Always perform an on site inspection for the presence of underground networks or contact ENERGEX directly.
- Constructors must dig by hand when excavating or working close to underground networks.
- If you damage ENERGEX underground networks you must advise ENERGEX immediately.
The Dial Before You Dig service is also designed to protect Australia's excavators.
Obtaining accurate information about your work site will minimise the risk of injury, personal liability and even death.
Substations
Substations are physical locations across the electricity network, which convert electrical power from high voltage levels to lower levels so that it can be distributed to homes and businesses.
They are secured in buildings, enclosures and security fences and are identified by ENERGEX signage and danger signage.
Whenever you are near a substation always put safety first by obeying danger signs and keeping out of substations.
Contact ENERGEX on 13 19 62 immediately if you notice:
- a substation door or gate is unsecured
- fence wire has been cut or trespassers are inside a substation
- kites, sporting equipment or other toys enter a substation
Never enter a substation to retrieve lost items.
Boating safety
Boat operators should ensure they are always aware of powerlines and cables crossing rivers and estuaries while on the water and at boat ramps. Always remember to:
- Look for signs which make the location of underwater cables before dropping anchor.
- Remain vigilant for overhead powerlines if your boat has a mast.
- Lower your mast at the boat ramp before heading home.
Download the Boating Safety brochure for more information
Trees and powerlines
Visit our Trees and Powerlines page to see how we maintain the trees and vegetation around powerlines to deliver a safe and reliable electricity supply to your home.
Safetrees
Follow the link to our Safetree page for a comprehensive guide to 'powerline friendly' planting around your home.
Electric and magnetic fields (EMF)
Electric and magnetic fields in and around the home can be produced by anything with electric current flowing through it, including nearby powerlines, your home wiring system or electrical appliances in use in the home.
For more information, visit the electric and magnetic fields page.
Contact us
Phone:
13 12 53
Disclaimer
This is not an exhaustive list of all safety matters that need to be considered. Whilst care is taken in the preparation of this material, ENERGEX does not guarantee, to the extend permitted by law, the accuracy and completeness of information.
To the extend permitted by law, ENERGEX will not be responsible for any loss, damage or costs incurred as a result of any errors omissions or misrepresentations in relation to the material in this document or for any possible actions ensuing from information contained above.
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